The Madeline in Paris Journey: An Artistic Heritage & Old-World Elegance Experience

Introduction

7 Days | Paris - Versailles - Montmartre

Artistic Paris Immersion

Step into the "old house in Paris that was covered in vines" and rediscover the world of Madeline through the lens of mid-century high society and professional artistry. This journey is designed for families who want to experience the sophisticated Paris that Ludwig Bemelmans lived in—a world of grand architecture, disciplined symmetry, and bold creative expression. Each day is structured around a "Master’s Workshop," where your family moves from being observers to creators. You won't just see the "two straight lines"; you will learn the technical "Bold Line" gouache technique from a professional illustrator, blend your own Parisian scent in a private laboratory, and custom-trim couture yellow straw hats with a master milliner. This is an intentional, elevated dive into the artistic soul of France, where every activity is a high-value, bookable masterpiece.

An Artistic Paris Immersion for Anyone Who Wants to Experience Story Through Creation

Step into the world of Madeline—where Paris is not just seen, but created, tasted, sketched, and lived. This is a thoughtfully designed journey through artistic Paris, combining illustration, culinary craft, fashion, fragrance, and architecture to create an experience that is immersive, personal, and unforgettable.

Who This Journey Is Designed For

• Families who want more than traditional travel

• Travelers who value immersive, hands-on experiences

• Those inspired by literature, art, and storytelling

• Parents seeking meaningful, shared experiences with their children

• Those who want a thoughtfully designed, high-touch journey

Intentional Unique Experiences

• Private “Yellow Hat” couture millinery workshop in your suite

• Illustration masterclass in a Montmartre atelier

• Private perfume creation in a Parisian fragrance lab

• After-hours or priority access to the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles

• Private Seine sketching cruise with onboard artist

• Le Cordon Bleu culinary workshop for families

Why This Journey Is Different

This experience is designed to go beyond typical travel. Each day builds intentionally moving from inspiration to creation, from observation to participation. Guests don’t just visit Paris—they engage with it through art, design, food, and craftsmanship.

It is not about seeing more.

It is about experiencing it differently.

Artistic Paris Immersion

At a glance

Artistic Paris Immersion

An Artistic Paris Immersion for Anyone Who Wants to Experience Story Through Creation

Map

Day 1 - The Aristocratic Entry

Luxury Arrival and Yellow Hat Millinery

Private executive transfer to Le Meurice or Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Morning: Private executive transfer to a luxury suite at Le Meurice or Hôtel Plaza Athénée.

Yellow Hat Millinery Session

Afternoon (The Tone-Setter): The "Yellow Hat" Millinery Session. A couture milliner visits your suite for a private workshop. Families select from high-quality straw forms and custom-trim their own iconic yellow hats with French silk ribbons—yours to wear for the rest of the journey.

Bemelmans Mural Reception

Evening: Private reception at a venue featuring Bemelmans-style murals, with a talk on the artist’s transition from hotelier to world-renowned illustrator.

Day 2 - The Art of the Bold Line

Illustration Masterclass and Parisian Symmetry Walk

The Bold Line Illustration Masterclass

Spend the morning in a private Montmartre Atelier. A professional Parisian illustrator teaches your family the technical gouache-and-ink layering that defines the Madeline series. Each member creates a 'Madeline-style' self-portrait.

The Two Straight Lines Architectural Hunt

A curated walk of the Place Vendôme and the Tuileries, focusing on the mathematical symmetry and 'straight lines' of Parisian urban planning.

Dinner at a historic brasserie

Dinner at a historic brasserie with a private accordionist.

Day 3 - The Pastry & The Palace

Culinary Workshop and Palais Garnier Tour

Le Cordon Bleu Family Workshop

A private session at the world’s premier culinary school. Families bake 'Twelve Little Girls' ginger snaps and traditional chocolate éclairs, learning the discipline of the French kitchen.

Behind-the-Scenes at the Palais Garnier

A private tour of the 'Stunning Opera House,' focusing on the costumes, the velvet, and the grand staircase featured in the books.

Picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens

A casual, elegant picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens with a private puppet show.

Day 4 - The Gold-Domed Discipline

Symmetry Tour and Perfume Blending Workshop

The Invalides Symmetry Tour

A private, expert-led exploration of the Hôtel des Invalides. Focus on the 1930s-40s era of the books, discussing the 'two straight lines' of the boarding school culture within these historic military walls.

Perfume Blending Workshop

At a private lab like Le Studio des Parfums, families blend their own 'Parisian Spring' scent to bottle and take home.

Dinner at a hidden local bistro

Dinner at a 'hidden' local bistro frequented by the Parisian creative elite.

Day 5 - The Master's Canvas (Versailles)

Versailles Plein-Air Painting and Hall of Mirrors

Private transfer to Versailles

DepartureParis

DestinationVersailles

Private transfer to Versailles.

Plein-Air Painting in the Queen’s Hamlet

A private, fully-supplied oil painting session. Capture the 'house covered in vines' aesthetic in the most beautiful garden setting in the world, guided by a local landscape artist.

After-hours Hall of Mirrors Access

After-hours (or skip-the-line) access to the Hall of Mirrors, focusing on the floral and artistic motifs of the French court.

Return to Paris

DepartureVersailles

DestinationParis

Return to Paris for a relaxed evening.

Day 6 - The Art of the Bloom

Floral Design, Seine Sketching, Farewell Feast

Floral Design Masterclass

Visit a heritage flower shop like Désirée Fleurs to create the classic 'Madeline Bouquets' using seasonal French blooms and hand-tied ribbons.

Private Seine Sketching Cruise

A sunset voyage on a private boat. A dedicated onboard artist helps your family sketch the 37 bridges of Paris as you sail beneath them.

Farewell Feast

The Atelier Presentation: Your completed illustrations, scent bottles, and hats are presented in curated, high-end packaging. A final multi-course dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant with a view of the 'gold-domed' Invalides.

Day 7 - Au Revoir

Final Croissant Tasting and Departure

Final Croissant-Tasting at a Legendary Boulangerie

Final croissant-tasting at a legendary boulangerie and a final walk through the Tuileries.

Private Executive Transfer to CDG

Private executive transfer to CDG for your return flight.

Loading Map…

Map

1. Le Meurice

228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

2. Hôtel Plaza Athénée

25 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France

3. Montmartre Atelier

Montmartre, 75018 Paris, France

4. Place Vendôme

Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France

5. Jardin des Tuileries

113 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

6. Le Cordon Bleu Paris

13-15 Quai André Citroën, 75015 Paris, France

7. Palais Garnier

8 Rue Scribe, 75009 Paris, France

8. Jardin du Luxembourg

75006 Paris, France

9. Hôtel des Invalides

129 Rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris, France

10. Le Studio des Parfums

6 Rue de Bourg l'Abbé, 75003 Paris, France

11. Désirée Fleurs

5 Rue de la Folie Méricourt, 75011 Paris, France

12. Seine River (Sketching Cruise Departure)

Port de la Conférence, 75008 Paris, France

13. Versailles (Palace of Versailles)

Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France

14. Legendary Boulangerie (Du Pain et des Idées)

34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010 Paris, France

15. Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

95700 Roissy-en-France, France